G-4ZPB3V7P9N

A Bargain for Golf in Decatur Alabama

$40 for a round with cart on Weekends

By Gregg Dewalt

Among the daily fee options for golf across the northern corridor of Alabama is the popular, yet challenging Point Mallard Golf Course in Decatur.

An 18-hole facility owned by the City of Decatur and a part of the sprawling Point Mallard recreational complex, the golf course opened in 1969 and was renovated in 2004.

It features Bermuda grass tees, fairways and greens. It’s $40 weekend and $36 weekday rates (greens fee, cart fee) make it a bargain for players of all skill levels.

From the tips, Point Mallard measures 7,604 yards. It’s a strong 6,585 yards from the white markers and 5,881 from the golds. Even from the forward (red) markers, Point Mallard is no bargain at 5,325 yards. Simply put, Point Mallard, which hosted several Hooters Tour events in the early 2000s, offers a solid test of golf.

Built on what formerly was TVA property, Point Mallard sits adjacent to the Tennessee River and wraps around several large ponds.

There is little in the way of elevation changes – the course is mostly flat although several greens are slightly raised, making it difficult at times to play the ball along the ground. Although the fairways are generous, they mostly are tree-lined and ready to gobble up wayward tee shots. Combined with Bermuda grass rough, playing from the fairway is a must in order to post a good score.

Point Mallard Golf Course has a nice set of par 3 holes, ranging from 144 yards to 196 yards. Each requires a different shot – No. 3 is just a brute at nearly 200 yards while No. 8 has a pond and a bunker fronting the green. No. 11 features a severely sloped back-to-front green, while No. 13 has trouble right, a bunker left and one of the largest greens on the course. More